Chapter 23

Thinking about his plans, Tom thought it was just about time to get the ball rolling. Talinda’s eyes got huge; she’d never seen anyone recover as fast as he had, not after using that much energy. Tom stepped out of bed, getting dressed at the same time.

“Frilly, I have to go out. You are the only one I trust with this,” he whispered as he leaned close. “I think I know where Malamon is. I am going out to the tower to confront him. Don’t tell anyone. I am going alone, and I am weak, so if I don’t get Malamon alone, I could die.”

“Please be careful, sir. You are still needed here,” Frilly said, shaking.

Heading out, Tom flashed out to an abandoned tower at the corner of an old amusement park. Though this time he really didn’t expect to see him there, Tom was well-prepared just in case. He’d been taking in energy the whole time.

Looking around, Tom could see that this was a perfect place for an ambush. Tom wanted to make sure that he wasn’t the one ambushed. Tom worked for a few hours to make sure he had everything ready for the next time he and Malamon met. Looking at one of the many gadgets he had planted, Tom knew he was ready. Laughing, he thought of the many ideas he had gotten. Someone like Malamon, who used almost all magic, wouldn’t be prepared for non-magic traps or those that weren’t made from magic.

Arriving back home, Tom put away the extra traps he had taken, though these were only parts and not easily recognizable. Frilly flew to him, a look of worry on her face. Leaning very close, she whispered, “Tom, sir, there is a centaur waiting for you in the next room. He is large and scary, and he appears to not be too happy.”

Tom smiled but prepared for anything. Stepping out, the huge being limped forward, stopping right in front of Tom. “I take it you’re this great fucking Mage Tom,” he spat out. “Off helping the weak creatures and not the strong like my herd/tribe. What say you, mage?”

“I am open to help all beings. I have told all that, as long as you do not prey on the weak and helpless for gain of the world or a whole other race,” Tom replied, wondering what was going on now.

“Then come, we have need of your services, if you are who you say you are,” the centaur said, touching Tom’s arm, and they flashed to a glen in the centaurs’ territory.

A female centaur stepped forward. “Hail, King Tonk. The Queen is near term, and there is nothing the healers can do. Who is this human? His odor is offensive to me!” Stepping forward with a raised spear, her eyes flew wide when she found she couldn’t take another step. “Release me, you spawn of the unholy!” King Tonk’s eyebrows raised. Hmmm, he has some power after all, he thought, old power at that.

“He is to be given free rein in the village but watched. This is the Mage Tom.” The female centaur’s eyes flew wide after Tonk said this. “First, though, we need you to watch and make sure none interfere,” nodding, she glared at Tom as Tonk led Tom to a large house.